Chapter 6

Silas Bancroft slid into the car beside me, quickly shutting the door and tapping the roof, indicating to the driver that we were ready to go; though where we were going, I didn’t know. Perhaps he was taking me to the king, or to his own city that resided under the streets of Paris, whichever it was; I would be trapped underground for the rest of my life, however long that may be.

I shifted nervously beside him, my heart racing recklessly as I opened my eyes, keeping them locked onto my bare feet. What would happen once we reached our destination? What did Prince Bancroft want with me?

I turned to look up at my owner, wondering if it was because of my powers, because I could destroy vampires with the rays of the sun; or was it that I could shapeshift? Both were rare gifts, something that not many received; nor were they something that you lived to talk about once the hierarchy found out.

Though, I was still a young witch I knew most of what magic was banned, and the power to destroy your master was one of them; so why wasn’t I already dead? Why hadn’t he killed me as King Isambard, the father of Silas commanded? What was so different about me? About my power?

The Prince was a stunning creature, so still and dashing, though I suppose that was because he had no need for breath, nor did he blink like I must. His long brown hair was tattered and knotted, though also coated in Noah’s blood and the ash of his subjects that I had killed. I had begun to panic as he turned to stare down at me, his features completely emotionless, what if he was taking me to some remote place to kill me?

Or maybe he would take me back to his underground city to use me as a sacrifice? I didn’t know for certain what he wanted from me, and that is what terrified me the most; I didn’t know what to expect.

“Do I frighten you child?” he asked me suddenly, breaking the eerie silence that had built; my fear spiking at the question.

Didn’t he know that his presence alone was enough to strip the colour from my hair, turning it completely white? Of course, that was a slight exaggeration, but it got my point across to, well; myself. He did frighten me, more than any other vampire I had ever come across, or been owned by.

But I suppose that was because of his standing, because he could decide my fate with a flick of his finger and no one would be able to question him, no one would be able to prevent my death should he choose to rid me of my essence. My breath caught in my throat, unable to catch it before I coughed and began to pant; how could I answer such a question? How could I lie when it was utterly obvious?

“Yes, you frighten me.” I said, knowing that I couldn’t hold off my answer for much longer and I certainly didn’t want to anger him; not if I could avoid it.

He smiled ever so slightly, the sort of smile that I would have missed if I had blinked at the wrong time. “Is it what I am, or who I am that scares you?”

I thought for a moment, that was a hard question, something that I wasn’t sure how to answer; but I was certain that there was an answer that he wanted, something that he hadn't heard before, not from a witch. I turned my petite form towards him, a little more confident, or at least; that is what I made it look like, even if I couldn’t stop the shaking, I could make it seem as though I could have a decent conversation with my master.

“Honestly? I think it is both that scares me, you answer to no one other than your father, and even then; I heard that you are the strongest of the Bancroft tribe, so I suspect that if you wished for it, you could destroy the others and take the throne. Without having to wait for another war.” I said bravely, something within me telling me that it was the right answer, whether it is what he wished to hear or not, it was what needed to be said.

“Interesting.” He smiled again, though this time, he wasn’t trying to hide it. “And what do you think would help me usurp the throne, my strength alone?”

“No one can win with strength alone, if you could, idiots would run the world. You have to be smart about it, strategic; use what you have around you.” I said without thinking, my heartbeat increasing as the words slipped from my mouth.

“My father won with brute strength and numbers. Does that make him an idiot?” Prince Bancroft growled slightly, causing me to jump and recoil back in my seat.

“No!” I shouted, dropping to my knees on the floor of the limo as I spoke; my tone low and shaky. “That isn't what I meant sir, I only meant that there are better ways to win.”

I jumped back when the Prince raised his left hand, his piercing eyes locked onto mine as I trembled; I should have kept my mouth shut, I shouldn’t have spoken my mind. I bowed my head, ready for the strike to come, ready for my punishment. This is what my mother warned me about, I could never filter my thoughts, I was a foolish witch who didn’t know her place. So stupid.

Silas gently lifted my chin with two fingers, forcing me to look into his eyes as he spoke; his voice soothing and his smile something that I didn’t quite understand. “You may be more useful than I first thought, Fraulein.”

I stared into his fiery eyes, my heart skipping a beat as I attempted to pull away, my anxious mind once again stirring with thoughts; thoughts I could not control. What did he mean by that and who was Fraulein? I shuffled back on the floor of the moving vehicle, unsure of myself and the Prince’s intentions; what did he really want? What plan did he have running through that dangerous mind and why must it involve me?

I couldn’t wait for him to explain any longer, I needed to know what he wanted from me; why he didn’t kill me when he saw what I could do. “Useful how?” I asked.

“Would you have preferred death?” he scowled, viciously grabbing me by the ankle and dragging me back towards him. “Is that what you want?!”

I gasped, thrashing my body in an attempt to break his grip, though it was useless; this time, he wouldn’t let go. “NO!” I screamed, panic seeping through me as I panted for breath. “That’s not... I don’t want to die.”

“Then you will sit there and accept that I have my reasons for keeping you alive. I have use for you, I am going to use you in the coming war, and for now; that is all you need to know.” He snarled as he spoke, barbarically baring his fangs. “Do you understand what I am telling you, witch?”

I nodded mutely, bowing my head towards the floor as I waited for him to release my foot, though he still grasped it tightly, staring down at me as if he was waiting for something; some kind of retaliation. But I would show none, I knew better than that; didn’t I…? I knew not to provoke the undead creatures, not if I could avoid it.

But what did he mean the coming war? What war?

The vampires had been at peace with one another for over a century, it had been a peace that Isambard Bancroft had built from nothing, taking the throne with brute strength and numbers. And since then, all witches and warlocks had been slaves to the creatures, we had lost everything and were forced into slavery, all under the nose of mortal men, they had no idea what was happening around the world. They had no inkling that thousands of their own people go missing each day.